Water board signs revised Hopedale billing deal
Mendon Water Commissioners set an October 1 hearing on a Hopedale-driven rate hike after getting notice months late.
Water · Meeting of September 9, 2026
Mendon Water Commissioners set an October 1 hearing on a Hopedale-driven rate hike after getting notice months late. Chairman Kevin Rudden, Commissioner Vincent Roy and Commissioner Douglas Hartman unanimously signed a memorandum of understanding amending the Cape Road Agreement, shifting Mendon to Hopedale's tiered billing structure. The board also voted to transfer up to $1,000 (actual: $708.64) from retained earnings to close a fiscal 2026 enterprise fund shortfall caused by an extra Hopedale quarterly bill, and authorized clerk Dan Beyer to issue a water system operator RFP due October 1.
Commissioners said Hopedale approved a 10 percent water rate increase effective July 1 based on a Tighe & Bond study, learned of only through Hopedale's posted minutes: "That doesn't make any friggin' sense," one commissioner said of the billing terms. Water Operator Michael Miller flagged a resident's $500 water bill for board input.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 2,237 words
Source: the Water meeting of September 9, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
Members read the rest of this story and every Worcester County meeting we cover, in full.
Become a memberAlready a member? Sign inA 30-day free trial needs a payment method. After it, your membership renews at the price shown at checkout until you cancel, which you can do anytime from your account. Subscription terms
Share this story
Know someone in Worcester County who follows town government? Share Townbrief Worcester County: they can sign up free.